CarSpecsHQ

225/55R16 vs 215/65R15

215/65R15 is a safe swap for 225/55R16 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.01%.

16" → 15"
225/55R16 25.74" · 215/65R15 26.00" · drawn to scale

Side by side

225/55R16215/65R15Difference
Overall diameter25.74"26.00"+0.26" (+1.01%)
Section width225 mm215 mm-10 mm
Sidewall4.87"5.50"+0.63"
Rim16"15"-1"
Circumference80.9"81.7"+0.8"
Revs per mile783776-8
Ride height——+0.13"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.6+0.6 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.6 mph

With 215/65R15 on a car calibrated for 225/55R16, the speedometer reads 59.4 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 1.0%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.3 mph
45 mph45.5 mph
60 mph60.6 mph
70 mph70.7 mph
80 mph80.8 mph

Other sizes close to 225/55R16

Questions

Can I replace 225/55R16 with 215/65R15?

215/65R15 is a safe swap for 225/55R16 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.01%.

What's the difference between 225/55R16 and 215/65R15?

215/65R15 is 0.26" taller and 10 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.63". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.6 mph.

Will 215/65R15 fit on 225/55R16 wheels?

No — 225/55R16 needs a 16" wheel and 215/65R15 a 15" wheel. This is a plus/minus-size swap that changes wheels too.